Persistent activation of steroidogenesis in adrenocortical cells by photoaffinity labeling of corticotropin receptors

Abstract

Photolysis of rat adrenocortical cells in the presence of the photoreactive derivative [(2-nitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl)Trp⁹]-adrenocorticotropic hormone (2,5-NAPS-ACTH) at 24°C resulted in persistent activation of corticosterone production. The basal rate of steroidogenesis became maximal when photolysis was performed at 24°C but remained the same as that of control cells when irradiation was performed at 0°C. No increase in basal rate was observed with dark controls or cells photolyzed with [(2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenyl)Trp⁹]ACTH, a photoresistant analog of the hormone. Prephotolyzed 2,5-NAPS-ACTH failed to induce persistent activation. Both ACTH and 2,4-(dinitrophenylsulfenyl)Trp⁹-ACTH blocked the photo-induced activation of steroidogenesis elicited by 2,5-NAPS-ACTH. Under photolysis conditions which caused the basal rate of steroidogenesis to become maximal, a 3-fold increase in the basal rate of cAMP formation was observed.